PATEA PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 9

PATEA PLUNKET SOCIETY.

YEAR’S WOR KREVIEWED. ADDRESS BY MR. H. G. DICKIE. Although the weather was unsuitable a large number of town and country residents attended the annual meeting of the Patea Plunket Society on Wednesday. Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P., was invited to preside by the president, Mrs. T. E. Roberts. Mr. Dickie expressed his pleasure at meeting so large an attendance. He had felt very nervous, as a bachelor, presiding at a meeting of the Plunket Society, but he found on reflection that Sir Truby King, the founder, had ho children. The success of Plunket work in New Zealand had made Sir Truby King probably the best-known New Zealander in Britain, where branches of the society were being developed. One should be proud to claim Sir Truby King as a New Zealander and a Taranakian. His brother, Mr. Newton King, had been called King of Taranaki, but he was sure his brother’s memory would survive for many years to come also. Experience gained aS a medical student at the Seacliff Asylum among the pigs and calves had enabled the knowledge gained to be later applied by Sir Truby King to children. The New Zealand reproach that its people were toothless at 20 did not now apply as a result of the research and knowledge of vitamins, etc. The value of the society’s work was keenly appreciated in the House of Representatives; any suggestion of cutting down allocations to Karitane Hospitals or nurses created a storm of protest. The Patea Plunket Rooms were the envy of practically every branch in Taranaki, said Mr. Dickie. He was pleased to see the number of voluntary contributions and the bequests. Patea was to be congratulated on the appointment of Nurse Horrell, whose knowledge and ability had made her immensely popular in the South Island. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted, the growth of the society’s work evoking favourable comment. In reply to the Rev. C. Aker as to what use of the dental clinic facilities was made by children prior to school age, Nurse Horrell stated that where she thought dental treatment necessary the recommendation to the clinic was made. Tribute was paid to the work of Mr. and Mrs. A. Semple, who had left for Shannon. The Waverley sub-branch fifth annual report recorded satisfactory progress in the work of the society. The nurse reported that the number of visits made to the office by adults, children, and babies was 1901, an increase of 240 over the previous year. Thirty-nine new. babies were enrolled. The membership was 24. On August 29 the branch held its annual children’s fancy-dress dance, the proceeds of which were £l9 19s. On applying to the Macarthy Trust the branch was again allocated £25. It was with deep regret that the branch recorded the death of one of the oldest members and ex-president, Mrs. Dallison, who was always a willing helper in the cause of the society. The Alton sub-branch reported that five meetings were held during the year, two at Alton, and three at Harleyville. Funds were raised by giving two card parties and by having a cake-guessing competition. The cake was made and presented by the president, Mrs. Smitheram. Mrs. Allan, Hurleyville, has presented a handsome supper cloth for a competition at some future date. Four new members had joined the society during the year. The branch regretted having had to say farewell to Mrs. Clearance, who was the first secretary. The election of officers resulted: —President, Mrs. T. E. Roberts; vice-presidents, Mcsdames Haddow, Hunger and Pettigrew; committee, Mesdames Austin, C. Carey, Drummond, Hamel, Stevens, Haddow, R. Hunger, Harris, Ingley, Jenkins, Lester, Mcßae, Macken, Mellor, McMahon, T. Nelson, Pettigrew, Pauling, J. Pearce, Petersen, Ramsbottom, Roofs, Row, Stevens, Smiles, Torrens, G. W. Williams, Miss B. Gibson and Miss Pearce; Mesdames Graves and Blackiston (Waverley); Smitheram and Fullarton (Alton-Harleyville); Richardson (Kakaramea); Hurley Waitotara); advisory board, Dr. W. T. Simmons and Messrs. Ramsbottom, Roberts, Hemingway and Christensen.